Separating Real Clinical Value from Vendor Hype

What can 24 years of adopting new orthopedic technology teach you about separating real clinical value from vendor hype?

In this episode, Dr. Michael Durkin, an orthopedic surgeon at the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute (IBJI), discusses his path from an early adopter of robotics to a veteran voice on outpatient joint replacement, independent practice, and AI-assisted documentation. Drawing on more than two decades at Hinsdale Orthopaedics (now part of IBJI) and his experience as one of the first surgeons in the country using Mako robotic technology, he explains what separates genuine clinical benefit from marketing hype, how outpatient joint replacement has reshaped patient conversations, and why he sees independent practice as the model worth protecting. He also shares how an ambient AI scribe is changing his documentation workflow, and where it still falls short.

Tune in to hear how three decades of hands-on experience with new technology have shaped one surgeon's approach to patient care, practice independence, and the promise of AI in the exam room.

Resources

• Connect with Dr. Michael Durkin on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Dr. Durkin and his practice at Illinois Bone and Joint Institute.